I changed the tagline of this site to “spirituality that works for people”. It is a conscious wordplay.
The origin of the word “liturgy” (λειτουργία or λῃτουργία) derives from the Greek, “λαός” (Laos – people) and ἔργο (ergo – work). People usually have liturgy as “work of the people” – but I have argued previously that “work for the people” can make even more sense.
The word used most for the central Christian service is “Mass“, a word that assigns the dismissal to the whole service. Even the word “service” for a service can underscore the continuity between our worship and our work – “our service has ended – our service begins.”
The Judeo-Christian tradition stresses that worship, to be authentic, to be genuine, must be self-transcending and in the context of and continuity with a life and community that is there for others and the world. Authentic Judeo-Christian worship is not individualised, it nourishes compassion and justice. Worship challenges and transforms.
Furthermore, there is also the dimension that “When we are participating in the work of the Divine Liturgy, we are doing this work for others…”
The other side of my tagline’s wordplay is that we are trying to encourage a spirituality that works. So often we can encounter a spirituality that is out of touch with our real context, unreachable. In the community that gathers around this site we have the resources to help each other to nurture a spirituality that works for you.
What do you think?
If you appreciated this post, do remember to like the liturgy facebook page, use the RSS feed, and signing up for a not-very-often email, …
“Furthermore, there is also the dimension that “When we are participating in the work of the Divine Liturgy, we are doing this work for others…”
Precisely, Bosco. This is one reason why those parishes that can people a Daily Mass need to fully understand the need to hold up in prayer the local community – not only the needs of the parish. Even though they may be only the ‘two or three gathered to gether’ on Christ’s Name, the ‘People’s Work’ is part and parcel of the reason and the objectove of the Celebration.